Casting apparatus.



No. 856,773. PATENTED JUNE 11, 1907. H. H. DOEHLER.

CASTING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JAN.5.1907.

I I l I. I! I I I ll IIIH'S 5 A (t test: 9 ventor:

by gwzw zwm HERMAN H. DOEHLER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CASTING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 11, 1907.

Application filed January 5, 1907. Serial No 360,885-

. drawings, which form a part thereo My invention relates to casting apparatus, and more particularly to that class thereof embodying therein a melting pot and pump.

The main object of the invention is to pro vide an apparatus of this character wherein the plunger will be so supported relative to the cylinder to be substantially free there of at all times except when the metal is-being forced from said cylinder, while being caused to accurately register therewith when actuated, thus preventing the jamming, brazing or soldering of these two parts during those intervals when the apparatus is not being operated.

A further object is to so support the plunger when it is withdrawn from the cylinder proper as to minimize the area of the contacting surfaces within the melting pot, of said plunger and its support. 4

A still further object is to provide an apparatus wherein the plunger may be actuated by a lover which acts to both force the plunger within the cylinder and withdraw it without the use of a pivotal connection between these i'nembers.

A still further object is to provide means operating the plunger which will apply power substantially axially of the plunger on both the direct and the return movements without an ap reciable interval of rest upon the reversal of the direction of movement thereof, and without employing a slot and pivot connection between it and the plunger.

A still further obj cct is to provide an apparatus of this character wherein the plunger and the actuating means therefor, may be quickly connected and disconnected, to facilitate the substitution of a plunger without 1 emptying the melting pot.

A still further object is to provide an apparatus of this character wherein the pivots of the operating lever will be so arranged as not to be subjected to the molten metal, and to be fixed relative to the sup )orts of the cylinder so as to avoid the loss of alinement of the cylinder, the plunger and the lever head.

A still further object is to provide an apparatus of this character wherein the cylinder will be filled through its bore thus causing the entrance of the plunger to the cylinder to close same and place all the metal therein under pressure.

A still further object is to so construct the plunger as to allow the metal free access to the cylinder while minimizing the likelihood of scum, oxids and other dross entering the cylinder.

A still further object is to provide an apparatus of this character wherein the bottom plate or support for the die will be locked firmly in place relative to the discharge nozzle of the cylinder by a single locking device which will act to force the nozzle on said plate into intimate contact with said discharge nozzle. And a still further object is to provide an apparatus of this character which will be simple in construction and design and not liable to be rendered inoperative through the actions of the metal being cast on the moving parts thereof, and on the cylinder.

The invention consists in the novel features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and described and more particularly pointcd'out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings: Figure l is a longitudmal section of a casting apparatus embodying my invention parts thereof being shown in elevation F ig. 2 is an end view of the cylinder, and the plunger support; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the plunger; Fig. 4 is a side view thereof; Fig. 5 is a side view of the head of the operating lever; Fig. 6 is an end view thereof, and Fig. 7 is a side view of the locking mechanism for the bottom plate or support of the die.

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

ln apparatus of this character great difficulty is encountered in fitting the plunger to the cylinder; in rapidly charging and reharging said cylinder and in keeping the plunger in such condition as to keep the machine in perfect running condition. These difficulties are due largely to the tendency of the metal being cast to solder or brazc the cylinder and plunger together when the latter is not in motion; and the limitations placed on the capacity of the machine bv the re-charging of the pump through a small port. The machine shown in the accompanying drawings is designed to obviate such objections.

In the embodiment of-my invention shown in the drawings, a indicates an ordinary melting pot which maybe heated by any desired means, as the gas furnace b; Carried by or supported relative to, said melting pot a in a manner to be submerged in the metal contained in said pot, is a cylinder 0' having a discharge nozzle d leading from the upper forward end thereof, the port of said nozzle being in communication with the interior of said cylinder. Extending from the rear end of said cylinder is a plunger support preferably cast integrally therewith, composed of a cylindrical portion e cut away so as to form a plurality of narrow longitudinal guides f adapted to engage and support the plunger 9 when it is withdrawn from the cylinder, and afford a large clearance space or spaces for the admission of the metal to charge and re-charge the cylinder 0, through the bore thereof The plunger support has diametrically opposite ways 72. h in the top and the bottom thereof respectively for the passage of the lever actuating the plunger. The cylinder 0 and plunger supporte are preferably cast integrally with each other with reinforcing side webs "L extending the entire length of the casting, carrying side flanges at each end thereof by means of which the cylinder and the support are mounted relative to said melting pot (L. The securing plates ftfor convenience are made separate, but if desired may be made a part of said casting.

To avoid the presence of pivotal bearings in the molten metal, I provide a special construction of plunger and actuating lever cooperating therewith which not only serves to apply power to the plunger in either direction, but concentrates and applies such at all times substantially axially oi the plunger. To this end, I provide an angular opening extending through the plunger 9 as at g, and slot the end of the plunger at 9 so as to leave oppositely disposed shoulders within said opening and a way therefrom for the neck of the operating lever. The lever itself comprises an enlarged oppositely convexed head m pivoted to the supports of the. cylinder and the plunger-support and adapted to enter the opening at g from the top thereof and engage both the shoulders therein; and a neck m reduced adjacent to the head so as to be adapted to pass through the slot {7 The neck m is formed on a (louble curve as shown to secure the maximum stroke of the plunger with a minimum of vertical play. The other lever arm m is made angular to bring the operating end of the lever handle 'm as far away from the heated pot as possible. The convexity of both sides of the head 'm is equal, and of a radius which will result in a constant rolling contact of the lever head and plunger, substantially axially of the latter with the movement of these parts in either direction, a construction which-applies the power in a manner to avoid all likelihood of the plunger being so thrown off center as to jam; which reduces the friction between these Inembers, and which minimizes the area of the contacting surfaces and consequently the dangers of their being brazed or soldered together. This construction also permits the lever head and plunger connection to be made of sufficient strength to practically eliminate the possibility of a limitation of the power applied through weakness at this point from wear or a deterioration of the metal of the parts from the action of the molten metal thereon; and to be connected and disconnected without the use of n1achinery or special appliances, or the removal of the cylinder from the melting pot.

To avoid the entrance of metal to the cylinder from the top of the melting pot, I undercut the forward end of the plunger 9 at 9 thus leaving an overhung top guard while providing ample space for the passage of the molten metal thereunder to the cylinder.

Mounted on one end of the furnace b by a hinged connection, is a bottom plate or die support n provided with a counterweight n and the usual female nozzle if; and carrying the upper die plate n which is moved toward and from the bottom plate n on the standards 0 in opening and closingthe die, by a means of the levers 0'0 carried respectively by a cross head 10 adjustably secured to the said standards and by the upper plate n. Connecting the adjacent ends of the levers 0 0 is a T-link q the short arms of which are pivotally connected to said levers respectively, and the long arm of which serves as an operating handle. I employ this construction as it results in greater convenience in operating the apparatus.

N 0 claim of invention is made herein to the die rigging and a detailed description thereof will not, therefore, be entered into.

In apparatus of this character, the bottom plate is subjected to great upward strains through the die, and the nozzles would separate thereunder unless the bottom plate is locked relative to the cylinder, or the pressure pot, for the molten metal when the casting is being made. To avoid the loss of alinement of the die and the whole apparatus, it has been customary to lock the bottom plate at both sides of the nozzle to prevent one side of the plate lifting under the pressure. Thishas added several operations to the production of each casting and consequently limited the capacity of the apparatus. To obviate this difficulty, I provide the bottom plate n with a single tongue 1' disposed centrally of the free edge of the said plate, and provide locking means fixed rela- IIO tive to the melting pot a and cylinder 0, adapted to engage this tongue. This means preferably comprises a cross bar 8 carrymg a bolt 25 adapted to pass over and engage the tongue T. To permit that slight variance in the position of the tongue 1 due to the fouling of the nozzles (Z or n and secure a tight joint between said nozzles under all conditions, I providemeans whereby said bolt will, toward the end of its throw, be given a slight rocking movement under suflicient power to force the entire plate ndownwardly. This means comprises a lever t the short arm t of which is pivoted to the outer end of the bolt and adapted to engage the rim of the melting pot, and impart a sliding movement to said bolt and a radually diminishing vertical component of movement thercoftoward the end of the stroke, thus insuring the application of the greatest power and the least movement toward the end of the throw of the lever. The quantity of movement of the bolt is slight, being merely sufficient to provide a clear field for the tongue 1 in operating the apparatus.

The die, parts are indicated at u and t.

The operation of the herein described apparatus is substantially as follows: The parts a of the die having been properly mounted on the plates n 11. respectively, the T-lever q is raised, simultaneously rocking both levers o in opposite directions, and bringing them and the top of the said lever into suclralinement as to close the die and lockit. The entire die supporting mechanism'is then turned upon its hinge to brin the female nozzle 12 upon the male nozze d. The tongue 1' by this movement is brought on a plane slightly below the bolt t, which is normally retracted with the lever down. This lever t is then raised, sliding the bolt t forward on the stud s and forcing the inner or free end thereof over and upon the tongue 1' with sufficient power to cause the requisite desired intimate contact of these nozzles with each other irrespective of particles of metal or oxids thereon; The normal position of the lever handle m is in the raised position,

thus causing the plunger 9 to be withdrawn from the cylinder 0 and to be supported solely by the plurality of narrow guidesf in perfect aiinement with the cylinder. While the plunger is in this position, metal circulates freely about it in the cut away parts of the support 6 and through the ways It h and enters and fills the cylinder through the opening afforded by the umlereutportion of the plunger at g, which is more than half the area of said plunger. The overhung guard of said plunger prevents the metal entering from the top of the plunger, thus avoiding the drawing of oxids, sc'um and other dross into the c linder through suction.

It will )e observed that the cylinder 0 and guides f being made integrally with each other and with the supporting means there J for, a slight Slllfl ing of either support will not stud s wlnch enters a slotted way 111 a sliding 1 throw them out of alinement with each other. It will also be observed that the trunnions of the operating lever are also carried by said casting and that such shifting will not throw the ler'er out of true.

The die mechanism having been locked in position as described, power is applied to force the handlem' dowmvardly by hand or otherwise, as desired, to reciprocate the plunger and discharge the metal-from the cylinder into the die, and withdraw said plunger from said cylinder. When the power is first applied, the upper end of the arc of the forward side of the head in is in contact with the forward shoulder in the opening 9, and the lower end of the are of the rear side of the said head is in contact with, or in close juxtaposition to, the rear shoulders in said openmg, and part of the reduced portion of the neck 'm is projecting into the slot 9 The point of engagement of the head with'both said shoulders is in substantial alinement with the plunger, and by reason of the convexity of the said head, such contact is along one line only. As the lever rocks under this power, the are described by the head m instead of changing the point of application of the power to the plunger, merely causes a change of the point of en agement on the head m, thus maintaining the application of power axially of the plunger but causing a rolling engagement and disengagement of the head m which avoids friction and prevents soldering or brazing of the said head to the said plunger. The rear of said head upon this forward or forcing movement merely follows the rear shoulders wit-h a similar rolling motion, which prevents jamming of the head in said opening. The shoulder of the reduced part of the neck m follows the outer end of the plunger support e, thus not interfering with this movement. By forming the operating lever as shown, the plunger may be forced entirely within the cylinder, thus se; curing the maximum throw thereof without compounding the leverage nor necessitating such a positioning of the lever handle as to interferewith the convenient operation of the machine. When the casting is made. the direction of movement of the lever m is re versed, with a reversal of the movement of the head m and its neck 'm'. power being applied by the rear of the head in the same manner as by the forward side thereof in forcing the metal, said forward side following the forward shoulders. If for any reason it is desired to remove the plung'er it is merely necessary to raise the lever 'm" until the head 7H passes from the opening g whereupon any tool, as a pair of tongs may be used to draw the plunger from the supporting guides f. Thereafter, a new plunger may be inserted 111 &

said guides and the operating lever coupled or connected thereto by merely lowering said lever. Hence the removal and substitution of rlungers may be quickly accomplished without dismantling the apparatus, and without removing the metal from the melting pot. To remove the casting, it is first necessary to lower the handle t thus withdrawing the bolt t and permitting the bottom plate and its appurtenances to be swung away from the melting pot, so as to permit the opening of the die and the ejectment of the, casting in a manner convenient to the operator.

'hile I have shown and described my invention in connection with a horizontally movable plunger, it is apparent that such is a mere matter of detail and expedience and not material nor essential to the invention.

It is to be observed that the guides f present only narrow edges to the plunger, and that except while in motion, said plunger is not seated in the cylinder, thus practically preventing the soldering or brazing of the plun er to said cylinder, that notwithstand ing t is practically complete withdrawal of the plunger from the cylinder, it is always held in perfect alinement therewith; that the power is always applied to the plunger in. a manner to prevent jamming of the plunger in the cylinder; that the operating lever is not subject to material wear and has concentrated therein such bulk as to have great strength and durability; that the plunger may be quickly removed and a new one suhsti tuted, and that the die mechanism and locking means may be conveniently operated by one man. i

It is not my intention therefore, to limit the invention to the'precise details of construction heretoforedescribed and shown in the accompanying drawings, it being apparent that such may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the in vention.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent.is:- I

1. In casting apparatus, the combination with a melting pot, means heating same and a die support having a nozzle, of a cylinder located in said pot having a nozzle adapted to register with the nozzle of said support, a plurality of narrow guides extending from said cylinder whereby the area of the contacting surfaces of the plunger and the guides is limited, a plunger adapted to be supported by said guides in alinement with, and to enter, said cylinder, and means reciprocating said plunger.

2. In casting apparatus, the combination with a melting pot, means heating same, and a die support having a nozzle, of a cylinder located in said pot having a nozzle adapted to register with the nozzle o aid support, a

with a melting pot, means heating same, and v a die support having a nozzle, of a cylinder located in said pot, a'plunger adapted to be reciprocated in said cylinder, having an opening therein forming oppositely disposed shoulders, and a lever pivotally connected relative to said cylinder having an enlarged head adapted to enter'said' opening and engage said shoulders respt-ictively.

4. In casting apparatus, the combination with a meltingpot, means heating same, and

a die support having a nozzle, of a cylinder located in said pot, a plunger adapted, to be reciprocatetl in said cylinder having an opening adjacent to the free end thereof forming oppositely disposed shoulders, and a vertical slot through the end thereof communicating with said opal-ling, and an operating lever having an enlarged head adapted to enter said opening and engage said shoulders respectively, and a reduced portion adjacent thereto adapted to enter said slot.

5. In casting apparatus, the combination with a melting pot, means heating same and a die support having a nozzle, of a cylinder located in said pot, a plunger adapted to be reciprocatezi in said cylinder having an opening adjacent to the free end thereof forming oppositely disposed shoulders and a Vertical slot through the end thereof communitating withsaid opening, and an operating lever having an enlarged head having convexed sides adapted to enter said opening and engage said shoulders respectively, and a reduced portion adjacent thereto adapted to enter saiql slot.

6. In. casting apparatus, the combination with a melting pot, means heating same, and

a (lie support having a nozzle, of a cylinder located in said pot, aplunger adapted to be reciprocated in, said cylinder having an opening ad j acent to the free end thereof forming oppositely disposed shoulders and a vertical slot through the end thereof con'ununicating with said opening, and an operating lever having an enlarged head having convexed sides adapted to enter said opening and en gage said shoulders respectively, and a re duced portion adjacent thereto adapted to enter said slot, the arm of the lever carrying said. head being formed with a reverse curve.

7. In casting apparatus, the combination with a melting pot, means heating same, and a die support having a nozzle, of a cylinder located in said pot having a nozzle adapted to register with the nozzle of said support, a cylindrical support having a plurality of cut away portions forming a plurality ol narrow guides and a plurality of conduits leading to said cylinders and a slot in the top of said support, a plunger adapted to be supported by said guides in alinement with, and to enter, said cylinder, said plunger having an opening adjacent to the free end thereof forming oppositely disposed shoulders and a vertical slot through the end thereof communicating with said opening, and an operating lever having an enlarged head havii'lg convexed sides adapted to enter said opening and engage said shoulders respectively, and a reduced portion adjacent thereto adapted to enter said slot.-

S. In casting apparatus, the combination with a melting pot, means heating same, and a die support having a nozzle, of a cylinder located in said. pot having a nozzle adapted to register with the nozzle of said support, a cylindrical support having a plurality of cut away portions forming a plurality of narrow guides and a plurality of conduits leading to said cylinder, and a slot in the top of said support, a plunger adapted to be supported by said guides in alinement with, and to enter, said cylinder, said plunger having an opening adjacent to the tree end thereol forrning o positely disposed shoulders and a vertical sot through the end thereof C0111- Inunieating with said opening, and an operating lever having an enlarged head having convexed sides ada ted to enter said opening and engage sai shoulders respectively, and a reduced portion adjacent thereto adapted to enter said slot, the arm of said lever carrying said head being formed with a reverse curve.

9. In casting apparatus, the combination with a melting pot, means heating same, a die support having a nozzle, pivotally connected relative to said pot, and a tongue on the free edge of said support, of means whereby metal is Forced through said nozzle and a locking mechanism comprising a cross bar, a bolt slidably mounted on said bar and means reciprocating said bolt, whereby it is caused to pass over and engage said tongue.

10. In casting apparatus, the combination with a melting pot, means heating same, a die support having a nozzle pivotally connected relative to said pot, and a tongue on the free edge of said support, of means whereby metal is forced through said nozzle and a locking mechanism comprising a cross bar, a bolt slidably mounted on said bar, and a lever pivoted to the outer end of said bolt having one short arm adapted to engage said pot whereby said bolt will be given simultaneous longitudinal and vertical movement to cause it to pass over and bear down upon said tongue.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto atfixed my signature this 21st day of December, 1906, in the presence of two Witnesses.

HERMAN H. DOEHLER.

Witnesses:

T. T. VVENTWORTH, GEORGE MoOAY. 

